can share the same cage and provide company for each other. Rabbits can also be house trained and live inside. BEDDING AND LITTER You can use un-treated wood shavings, shredded paper, straw or hay in the bottom of the cage. Treated wood is toxic for animals and both rabbits and guinea pigs like to chew. An important accessory is a comfy house or nesting box. These should be warm and A Guide to Keeping can be filled with shredded paper, stray or hay. Wooded houses are RABBITS & likely to get chewed on and may need to be replaced occasionally, but chewing ensures normal wear and tear of GUINEA teeth and prevents overgrown incisors. PIGS ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT Rabbits and guinea pigs are very playful

animals and love variety in their cage. KEEPING RABBITS AND Putting different stories in the cage GUINEA PIGS provides more room to play and climb and you can connect CAGE SIZE different pens This depends on the number of animals but together to give in general, bigger is better. Cages need to more room for be secure so that your pet cannot escape running around. and no cats or dogs can get in. Large cardboard Cages need to be well tubes and ventilated and easy to cartons provide hours of fun and chewing clean. and are used for hiding in.

Rabbits are great at Edible toys made of wood or rope are also reproducing so unless available. Rabbits can be trained to harness you are planning to and taken for walks. Both animals like have babies it is wise cuddles and attention and should to be to get your rabbit neutered if living with handled frequently yet carefully. the opposite sex. A guinea pig and a rabbit CLEANING THE CAGE The cage will need cleaning every few days to avoid build-up of faeces and urine soaked litter. Replace bedding and litter as needed and provide fresh hay and toys often.

available and can be ordered in for you by our friendly staff. Fresh water should be available at all times, either in a solid heavy bowl that can’t be pushed over, or a drinking bottle attached to side of the cage.

Outdoor runs need to be move to fresh grass daily to keep the run clean. HEALTH PROBLEMS IN GROOMING RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGS Grooming rabbits on a regular basis is done Common signs of ill health are sneezing, snuffling, to prevent matting of hair and development weight loss, in-appetence and a runny nose. These of hairballs. Rabbits are fastidious groomers can be a sign of pneumonia and require veterinary and keep themselves very clean & neat. They attention. lick themselves like a cat does and grooming As incisors continue to can prevent them getting hairballs. grow throughout life, FEEDING YOUR RABBIT OR malocclusion can occur GUINEA PIG causing your pet to be unable to eat properly Pelleted food provides good, basic nutrition and to drool. Providing and is available from most pet suppliers. Your wooden items to chew pet will also need a constant source of fibre on can help prevent this. (fresh hay, grass and clover) and may also Wounds can occur if two rabbits are kept together. A enjoy small amounts of fresh vegetables such head tilt, head shaking, or scratching at ears could as carrots, carrot tops, parsley indicate an ear infection. and broccoli. Beans, Fleas, mites and lice are also found on rabbits and cauliflower, cabbage, and guinea pigs. These can cause chewing, scratching potatoes may cause problems with scabs and hair loss. They are treatable but any and should be avoided. Iceberg drugs need to be used lettuce has almost no with extreme caution as overdose can cause nutritional value so should be illness or death. Fleas can avoided. Rhubarb is toxic. To also be a carrier for avoid a mess in the cage put disease. fruit and veges on a Ka-Bob Rabbits left to sit constantly on a wire floor can stick. A range of cage develop a condition called sore hocks. Rabbits most accessories, treats and toys are susceptible to this condition are those having either thin fur on their feet or large rabbits that because of their weight put a lot of stress on their feet. Fly-strike is a common problem in warm weather. Rabbits or guinea pigs in dirty environments are more at risk as are sick or debilitated animals. Diarrhoea can be due to gut problems or may be from an inappropriate diet. Weight loss, diarrhoea, lethargy and loss of appetite can all be a sign of illness as can drink excessive amounts of water or developing abnormal behaviours.

Rabbits have an average life span of 6-9 years while guinea pigs have a shorter life span of 4-6.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs are very playful and benefit from an enriched environment.